Alvin Parks Jr.http://news.stlpublicradio.org
enhttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/feeds/term/530/rss.xmlEast St. Louis lacked policies and records needed to collect all it was owed in 2014http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/east-st-louis-lacked-policies-and-records-needed-collect-all-it-was-owed-2014
<p>As East St. Louis scrambles to fill an immediate cash shortage and find ways to reduce a <a href="http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/east-st-louis-city-council-approves-2016-budget-projected-deficit-almost-6-million" target="_blank">projected 2016 deficit of $5.9 million</a>, an independent review of its finances shows that the city may not have collected all its revenue last year.</p><p>Overall, the St. Louis firm Brown Smith Wallace found that East St. Louis lacked the records and policies needed to insure it received all the money it was owed in 2014.</p><p>Mon, 30 Nov 2015 02:20:46 +0000Camille Phillips50182 at http://news.stlpublicradio.orgEast St. Louis lacked policies and records needed to collect all it was owed in 2014East St. Louis City Council approves 2016 budget with projected deficit of almost $6 millionhttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/east-st-louis-city-council-approves-2016-budget-projected-deficit-almost-6-million
<p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><strong>Updated at 11 p.m. with the results of the East St. Louis City Council meeting-&nbsp;</strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 1.5;">The East St. Louis City Council unanimously approved a 2016 budget Monday night with a projected deficit of nearly $6 million. Most of that deficit is carried over from prior years.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">&nbsp;</p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">“We understand that there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done, but we wanted to make sure we pass a budget going into a new year,” said City Council President Pro </span>Tem<span style="line-height: 1.5;"> Robert Eastern. “We didn’t want to hold the city’s business up.”</span></p><p>Mon, 23 Nov 2015 21:19:24 +0000Camille Phillips50070 at http://news.stlpublicradio.orgEast St. Louis City Council approves 2016 budget with projected deficit of almost $6 millionWith millions in looming debt, East St. Louis lays off two more employees, increases property taxeshttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/millions-looming-debt-east-st-louis-lays-two-more-employees-increases-property-taxes
<p><strong>Updated Nov. 20 to clarify current layoff numbers-</strong>East St. Louis City Manager Alvin Parks has notified two more city employees that they are losing their jobs. Tuesday, Nov. 24&nbsp;will be the last day of work for the public safety director and the superintendent of streets.</p><p>Parks said Thursday the positions are being eliminated in order to reduce the city’s millions of dollars of debt. <a href="http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/east-st-louis-lays-eight-police-officers">He previously laid off eight police officers and six administrators.</a>&nbsp;He also eliminated one unfilled administrative position.</p><p>Fri, 13 Nov 2015 05:38:34 +0000Camille Phillips49807 at http://news.stlpublicradio.orgWith millions in looming debt, East St. Louis lays off two more employees, increases property taxesEast St. Louis ends month-long teacher strike; city's budget in troublehttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/east-st-louis-ends-month-long-teacher-strike-citys-budget-trouble
<p><strong>Updated Nov. 20 to clarify the city's current budget deficit.</strong></p><p><strong>Updated at 7:00 p.m. Oct. 30 with vote results: </strong>Class&nbsp;will be back in session on Monday for the 6,000 students enrolled in East St. Louis public schools.</p><p>A teacher strike that began Oct. 1 is over after the school board and teacher union voted Friday to approve a new contract for the district's 400 teachers and professional staff.</p><p>Fri, 30 Oct 2015 12:45:51 +0000Camille Phillips & Dale Singer49520 at http://news.stlpublicradio.orgEast St. Louis ends month-long teacher strike; city's budget in troubleEast St. Louis lays off eight police officershttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/east-st-louis-lays-eight-police-officers
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">In a letter released Wednesday to staff and media, East St. Louis City Manager Alvin Parks announced eight police officers are being laid off effective October 28.</span></p><p>Parks said that the police layoffs are “temporary but indefinite.” The layoffs would reportedly leave the East St. Louis police department with 44 officers, representing a 15 percent reduction in force.</p><p>Wed, 14 Oct 2015 20:44:32 +0000Camille Phillips49175 at http://news.stlpublicradio.orgEast St. Louis lays off eight police officersEast St. Louis mayor to city manager: 'I will not be circumvented'http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/east-st-louis-mayor-city-manager-i-will-not-be-circumvented
<p>The mayor of East St. Louis says she is being left out of the decision-making process at city hall. She’s also accusing the city manager of violating the policies of the city council.</p><p>“I will not be circumvented without letting the citizens know exactly what is going on because I will not and do not want to be held accountable for decisions being made without my input or for situations that are out of my control,” Mayor Emeka Jackson-Hicks told St. Louis Public Radio ahead of a Sunday afternoon news conference billed as an emergency discussion.</p><p>Sun, 06 Sep 2015 21:15:35 +0000Camille Phillips48333 at http://news.stlpublicradio.orgEast St. Louis mayor to city manager: 'I will not be circumvented'With former mayor Parks managing city government, East St. Louis remains in fluxhttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/former-mayor-parks-managing-city-government-east-st-louis-remains-flux
<p>East St. Louis city government is in flux after a contentious city council meeting left both officials and residents divided.</p><p>On Thursday, the City Council replaced&nbsp;<span style="line-height: 19.0909080505371px;">Mayor&nbsp;</span>Emeka<span style="line-height: 19.0909080505371px;">&nbsp;Jackson-Hicks'</span>&nbsp;pick for city manager with former mayor Alvin Parks Jr.</p><p>“This is not to say anything bad about the past administration, but the past administration was there for eight years. And if the people wanted him back they would have voted him back,” Jackson-Hicks told St. Louis Public Radio Saturday. “I'm just not sure where we're going from here. &nbsp;I really don't know.”</p><p>Sun, 23 Aug 2015 01:51:02 +0000Camille Phillips48038 at http://news.stlpublicradio.orgWith former mayor Parks managing city government, East St. Louis remains in fluxFormer East St. Louis mayor Alvin Parks, Jr. looks back and aheadhttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/former-east-st-louis-mayor-alvin-parks-jr-looks-back-and-ahead
<p>Alvin Parks, Jr. joined “St. Louis on the Air” host Don Marsh to discuss his two terms as mayor of East St. Louis and his plans for the future.</p><p>Councilwoman Emeka Jackson-Hicks unseated Parks in the April 7 election. After a court order removed his name from the ballot, Parks was forced to wage a write-in campaign. Jackson-Hicks is the daughter of Democratic state Rep. Eddie Lee Jackson. She was sworn into office on Monday.</p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>Wed, 13 May 2015 21:53:44 +0000Evita Caldwell45787 at http://news.stlpublicradio.orgFormer East St. Louis mayor Alvin Parks, Jr. looks back and aheadDebate over late-night club hours resurfaces in East St. Louis mayor’s race http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/debate-over-late-night-club-hours-resurfaces-east-st-louis-mayor-s-race
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">The outcome of East St. Louis’s mayoral election next month could play a major role in the city’s efforts to boost economic development and public safety. One key issue in the race involves the operating hours of the city’s late-night clubs and liquor stores.</span></p><p>Two-term incumbent Alvin Parks Jr. wants to allow the businesses stay open until at least 6 a.m. to generate extra tax revenue. Parks' name has been taken off the ballot by a court, but he's still running.</p>Thu, 19 Mar 2015 02:27:41 +0000Joseph Leahy & Stephanie Lecci44559 at http://news.stlpublicradio.orgDebate over late-night club hours resurfaces in East St. Louis mayor’s race East St. Louis Officials Rally For High-Speed Rail Stationhttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/east-st-louis-officials-rally-high-speed-rail-station
<p>Governmental and religious officials rallied Thursday for the Illinois Department of Transportation to build a high-speed rail stop in&nbsp;<span style="line-height: 1.5;">East St. Louis</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">.&nbsp;</span></p><p></p><p>IDOT working on a high-speed rail line connecting St. Louis to Chicago. Construction is already underway on rail improvements between Joliet and Alton, where a station is under construction.&nbsp;</p>Thu, 15 May 2014 21:26:21 +0000Jason Rosenbaum36164 at http://news.stlpublicradio.orgEast St. Louis Officials Rally For High-Speed Rail StationEast St. Louis Pays Down Decades-Old Bondshttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/east-st-louis-pays-down-decades-old-bonds
<p>East St. Louis has paid off more than $20 million in bonds it’s owed Illinois for nearly two decades.</p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Mayor Alvin Parks Jr. says the $21.4 million it borrowed 19 years ago helped bail out the city in a time of crisis, but paying them off has been a financial burden ever since.</span></p>Thu, 21 Nov 2013 02:40:42 +0000Joseph Leahy31614 at http://news.stlpublicradio.orgEast St. Louis Pays Down Decades-Old BondsSinai Village Plans To Begin Phase Two Of Housing Development In East St. Louishttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/sinai-village-plans-begin-phase-two-housing-development-east-st-louis
<p></p><p>Public officials and religious leaders gathered in East St. Louis Saturday to celebrate the expansion of a major housing project aimed at providing low-income residents with an affordable place to live.</p><p><a href="http://mountsinaichurch.net/">The Mount Sinai Development Corporati</a><a href="http://mountsinaichurch.net/development_corp.html">on</a>&nbsp;has secured land to add 30 homes to the original 30 that were completed two years ago in the Winstanley Industry Park Neighborhood.</p>Sat, 24 Aug 2013 19:30:57 +0000Erin Williams29365 at http://news.stlpublicradio.orgSinai Village Plans To Begin Phase Two Of Housing Development In East St. LouisYouth Violence in East St. Louis, Mayor Parks: We Cannot Tolerate Ithttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/youth-violence-east-st-louis-mayor-parks-we-cannot-tolerate-it
<p>Less than one week ago East St. Louis Mayor Alvin Parks announced a list of new measures in an attempt to curb recent violence in the city.&nbsp; Among the new rules is a curfew for all youth after 10:00 p.m.&nbsp; A ban from wearing royal blue or bright red clothing was also in effect for all men though the Mayor has since backed down.</p><p>Host Don Marsh talks with multiple guests about the new measures which stem from a deadly weekend in which an 18 year old man was stabbed to death and three young men died after being shot in the parking lot of a local club.</p>Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:08:34 +0000Alex Heuer, Mary Edwards & Don Marsh4864 at http://news.stlpublicradio.orgYouth Violence in East St. Louis, Mayor Parks: We Cannot Tolerate ItParks: 'Almost War-Like Situation' In East St. Louis Warrants Strict Curfewhttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/parks-almost-war-situation-east-st-louis-warrants-strict-curfew
<p></p><p>East St. Louis’ mayor has put a strict curfew in place for teens on the heels of four killings earlier this week.</p><p>Mayor Alvin Parks Jr. says police will arrest teenagers 17 and younger who are NOT in school between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.</p><p>Teens younger than 18 also will be arrested if they’re out later than 10 p.m.</p><p>Parks says he knows some people will consider the curfews too strict, but he wants to keep the city from losing more young people.</p>Wed, 26 Sep 2012 21:05:45 +0000Maria Altman4712 at http://news.stlpublicradio.orgParks: 'Almost War-Like Situation' In East St. Louis Warrants Strict CurfewMorning Headlines: Monday, September 24, 2012http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/morning-headlines-monday-september-24-2012
<p><strong>Gingrich in St. Louis to support Todd Akin</strong></p><p>Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich will be in suburban St. Louis on Monday at a fundraiser and news conference in support of Todd Akin's Senate campaign. The men are scheduled to appear at a $500-per-person, or $750-per-couple, fundraiser. They'll also speak at a late-morning news conference in Kirkwood.</p>Mon, 24 Sep 2012 14:25:49 +0000Julie Bierach & The Associated Press4682 at http://news.stlpublicradio.orgMorning Headlines: Monday, September 24, 2012Morning headlines: Friday, April 13, 2012http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/morning-headlines-friday-april-13-2012
<p><strong>Parks again rejects Durbin&#39;s call for earlier night club closings</strong></p><p>East St. Louis mayor Alvin Parks is again rejecting a call from Sen. Dick Durbin to institute an earlier closing time for the city&rsquo;s night clubs and liquor stores</p><p>Durbin was in his hometown on Wednesday encouraging area ministers to push Parks for a 1 a.m. closing time. Durbin believes it would help curb the killings in a city that a federal prosecutor has called the nation&rsquo;s most dangerous.</p>Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:45:25 +0000The Associated Press3483 at http://news.stlpublicradio.orgMorning headlines: Friday, April 13, 2012Public safety vs. city funding: a tough balance in East St. Louishttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/public-safety-vs-city-funding-tough-balance-east-st-louis
<p>When it&rsquo;s &ldquo;last call&rdquo; on weekends for St. Louis bars and clubs, East St. Louis&rsquo; nightlife is just getting started. The city&rsquo;s slack liquor laws allow nightclubs and liquor stores to operate well into the morning. Many critics say the laws are the root of the city&rsquo;s chronic violent crime.</p><p>The problem poses a delicate balancing act for Mayor Alvin Parks who says East St. Louis&rsquo; late-night entertainment industry is keeping the city alive.</p><p><strong>A Senator&#39;s strong words&nbsp;</strong></p>Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:20:55 +0000Joseph Leahy3439 at http://news.stlpublicradio.orgPublic safety vs. city funding: a tough balance in East St. LouisEast St. Louis nightclubs pitch in for more police patrolshttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/east-st-louis-nightclubs-pitch-more-police-patrols
<p>East St. Louis nightclubs and other local businesses are bankrolling extra weekend police patrols after a series of violent crimes.</p><p>Mayor Alvin Parks Jr. says the city needs more officers on the street but cannot afford them on its own.</p><p>&ldquo;This is taking already existing officers and paying them to work this special detail,&quot; Parks said. &quot;A detail that will be about six officers downtown and another two in the rest of the city where there might be late night activity.&rdquo;</p>Fri, 23 Mar 2012 18:20:35 +0000Joseph Leahy3342 at http://news.stlpublicradio.orgEast St. Louis nightclubs pitch in for more police patrolsDurbin calls for East St. Louis action on clubshttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/durbin-calls-east-st-louis-action-clubs
<p>A U.S. senator is stepping up his&nbsp;efforts to limit nightclub hours in East St.&nbsp;Louis.</p><p>Sen. Dick Durbin said Monday that earlier closing times for&nbsp;nightclubs and liquor stores would improve safety for city&nbsp;residents. The Illinois Democrat specifically challenged Mayor&nbsp;Alvin Parks Jr. to do his part in reducing crime rates. (<a href="http://durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/files/serve?File_id=10c69a37-c6c2-4073-9cb9-c7e79e367f97"><em>Read the full letter from Durbin to Parks</em></a>).</p>Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:40:39 +0000The Associated Press & St. Louis Public Radio3203 at http://news.stlpublicradio.orgDurbin calls for East St. Louis action on clubsEast St. Louis police chief doesn't want to resign after all, but mayor ready to fill posthttp://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/east-st-louis-police-chief-doesnt-want-resign-after-all-mayor-ready-fill-post
<p>This <a href="http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/morning-headlines-friday-october-14-2011">morning we told you</a> that East St. Louis&#39; police chief&nbsp; Ranadore Foggs wanted to take back his resignation and keep his job - but it seems that the mayor isn&#39;t ready to let Foggs return so easliy.</p><p>Foggs announced Thursday night he has rescinded the resignation he submitted last week after less than five months on the job. He had claimed the mayor was interfering with his efforts to lead.</p>Fri, 14 Oct 2011 20:31:58 +0000The Associated Press & St. Louis Public Radio2250 at http://news.stlpublicradio.orgEast St. Louis police chief doesn't want to resign after all, but mayor ready to fill post